The New York Yankees are sitting pretty at the top of the AL East right now. But if you’ve watched them closely over the last few weeks, you’ve probably noticed the bullpen could use some help. Brian Cashman usually likes to tinker with the roster around this time of year. But one longtime baseball insider thinks the GM might not need to pick up the phone at all.
The answer, according to Jim Bowden, is already in the organization. And he’s throwing 101 miles per hour in Scranton.
“The answer is in Triple-A; you don’t have to make a trade. It’s Carlos Lagrange,” Bowden said on Foul Territory TV. “Throws 101, they’re putting him in the role, they’re putting him in high-leverage situations. They are getting him ready; he is their guy to set up David Bednar. They don’t have to trade for it now.”
Who is Carlos Lagrange?
Lagrange isn’t some anonymous arm the Yankees just stumbled onto. He’s a flame-throwing right-hander who has been climbing the system and catching eyes everywhere he goes. Bowden saw him up close during spring training and came away impressed with more than just the velocity.
“I don’t know where he’s going to go, but I know the first solution is Carlos Lagrange in the minor leagues,” Bowden said. “He’s an exciting arm, and I got to see him at spring training. I got goosebumps just looking at him. He’s got the makeup and character to match. He’s a guy who’s going to be able to handle the big leagues.”
That kind of praise from a former GM carries weight. It’s not just about the fastball. It’s about the poise. The Yankees have always valued that combination in their bullpen arms, dating back to the dynasty years. Mariano Rivera didn’t just throw one pitch. He had the head for it too.
What this means for Cashman’s deadline plans
The Yankees have been linked to just about every rental reliever on the market. Names like Jordan Hicks and even some bigger fish have been floated in rumors. But if Lagrange is truly ready to step in and handle the eighth inning in front of Bednar, that changes the math. Cashman could instead use his trade chips to address other needs — maybe another bat or rotation depth.
It’s worth noting that the team has not confirmed any timeline for a Lagrange call-up. But the fact that they’re putting him in high-leverage situations at Triple-A suggests they’re testing him for a reason. The stuff is real. The question is whether he can handle the spotlight at Yankee Stadium, where the fans are loud and the margin for error is tiny.
Bowden seems to think he can. And if he’s right, the Yankees might already have their bullpen upgrade. They just have to make the call.
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